Sorry to make another HID thread... but I really need some advice on the right bulbs to buy.

First off, I have the 08 V6 coupe in Red. I'm wanting to put HIDs in both the headlights and fogs. I'm going with a blue theme for my car. I'm already replacing all interior/license/trunk lights with blue LEDs. I was originally set on 8000k because they seem to have a good mix of usable light and blue color.

However, after reading all the threads here on HIDs, most people seem to recommend going with 5000-6000k. Because all my LEDs are pure blue, I don't want to go with a HID that is TOO white because it won't match the LEDs. But at the same time, I'm affraid that if I get 8000k that the usable light won't be safe for street driving and might also blind oncoming traffic?

Also, I can't decide on 55w vs 35w. Again, I'm affraid 55w might be too bright for oncoming traffic? Would it be good to go with a mix, such as 55w for the headlights, and 35w for the fogs? Or should I do 55w for both?

Any advice would really be appreciated! Thanks in advance.


Edit: I would also like to mention that I had already bought an 8000k McCulloch kit from XenonPros before I ever discovered this forum, but after reading so much good praise for retro-solutions (and finding out that McCulloch is some sort of bogus company), I've decided to return the McCulloch kit and order from retro! Not to mention retro is around $70 cheaper too!

Personally, I would stick with 6000k and under. 8000k is very blue, it may match your LEDs better, but will definitely cut back on visibility, particularly in rain/snow/fog. It is also harder on other motorist's eyes, as well as your own. You could always just make your license plate LED white, as the HIDs really don't need to match the interior lights. You'll have less trouble with cops this way, too. Just my 2c. As far as wattage goes, 35w will be plenty bright but 55w shouldn't be so bad, the projectors will keep them out of other motorist's eyes most of the time.

55w for sure! I have the 55w 6000k retro kit, and I would say it is the perfect combo for what u are going for. The 55w isn't crazy bright, and the cutoff of our headlights keeps the light where it should be and will not blind people. I havn't had a problem yet. And as far as color, DONT go 8000k. You'll regret it in the end, way to blue and not enough light. My 6000k's are pretty damn blue and I'm wishing I would have done 5000k

Generally, different brands of different HID temp' bulbs produce different colors for a given color/temp'.

So, don't compare Brand X's 6000K w/ Brand Y's. First, decide on a brand/kit, then look at all the offered color-temp's for that kit only.

Ex. My Philips 6000K Ultinon is actually whiter than Mcculloch 5000K.

55W will be A-o.k., and for added safety/assurance, use a relay.

With a high-quality HID kit, I've observed the following trend:

____Temp'______edge-of-light ('Halo')
4000K - 5000K -> yellowish'-white
5000K - 6000K -> whitish'-blue
6000K - 7000K -> blueish'-purple
8000K - X000K -> purplish'-UV

And as previously stated, keep the blue LED's in the interior! The white LED's actually have a hint of blue to them... :cool:

Thanks for all the replys. Seems like 6000k is the way to go.

One last question though... Do you think it is wise to go with 6000k in the fogs as well? I've read that some people put ~3000k in the fogs. Would 6000k in the fogs cause problems for oncoming drivers? Should the bulbs be dipped? Should I just not put HIDs in the fogs at all? Suggestions, advice?

Suggestions, advice?
What overall look are you trying to go for (ie. clean/classy, tuner/JDM, etc')?

IMHO, HID's in fog-lights will over-kill unless you really have a need for them.

Just get some high-quality white or yellow bulbs from Polarg, Raybrig, PIAA, Hoen, or etc'. Avoid the cheap/imitation bulbs that are simply coated or the ones that draw a higher-current. I'd also keep the fog-light lens clear (ie. no smoked-tint, or clear-yellow paint/vinyl-overlay).

If you decide to do HID's in your fog-lamps, it's advisable to have compact projectors to go along. A projector retro-fit into OEM fog-lights might be prohibitively expensive, so perhaps better to get after-market projector fog-lights.

Ive got 8k's in the fog lights on my Harley truck and the high beams on my 71 Skylark conv, they look great, light up objects great but they dont light up the road at all.
I have six Ks in the everything else, they work out good.

If you want to see good try the 3ks, there kinda yellow but they light up the road the best IMHO.

AH, got your PM, but figured it best to answer publicly for all those wondering:

Do you want your fogs to match or contrast. If you want the match then you have to go the same as the headlamps in the 6000k. However, the yellow fog look is very catchy, the contrast it provides, a unique look, and functionally the yellow light is slightly better inclimate weather. Now, there is some talk of there being no bulb covers in the accord fogs, which is not all that uncommon. We do offer a service to apply a coating over the top of the bulbs, just like factory halogen bulbs, the same material in fact. This will block any direct light coming straight out from the bulbs that the bulb covers would normally block.